NIMC reforms strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy — Akume

"Nigeria’s growing digital public ecosystem has implications beyond the country, as trusted identity infrastructure could facilitate greater economic integration across Africa." Akume.

.... “As the Officer charged with coordinating government business across MDAs, I have watched this work closely. The National Identity Management Commission is one of this administration’s clearest delivery stories.”

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, has said Nigeria’s expanding digital identity infrastructure is strengthening the country’s position in Africa’s digital economy while improving access to banking, telecommunications, social protection and cross-border trade.

Akume stated this yesterday at the National Day of Identity 2026, with the theme, “Nigeria’s Digital Public Ecosystem: Powering Africa’s Digital Economy.”

He described the progress recorded by the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, as one of the clearest delivery stories of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, pledging the Federal Government’s full backing for ongoing identity reforms.

According to him, Nigeria’s growing digital public ecosystem has implications beyond the country, as trusted identity infrastructure could facilitate greater economic integration across Africa.

He noted that banks, fintech companies and cross-border traders increasingly depend on verified digital identity to access markets, including opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.

“As the officer charged with coordinating government business across MDAs, I have watched this work closely. The National Identity Management Commission is one of this administration’s clearest delivery stories,” Akume said.

He added that enrolment into the national identity system was continuing to rise, while integration with banking, telecommunications and social protection was deepening.

“The progress is real. Enrolment continues to rise. Integration with banking, telecommunications and social protection is deepening. The Commission is meeting the quiet, daily discipline this work requires. That is the kind of delivery this administration was elected to provide,” he said.

The SGF said the enactment of the National Identity Management Commission Act, 2026, had provided a stronger legal foundation for Nigeria’s identity management system, strengthened data protection and established NIMC as the country’s root certification authority for identity.

He also highlighted innovations introduced before the new law, including NINAuth and self-service data modification, saying they had made it easier for Nigerians to verify their identities and manage their records.

Akume recalled his engagement with the Director-General of NIMC, Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, following the passage of the Act, saying the interaction reinforced his confidence in the direction of the Commission and the commitment of its leadership and personnel.

He pledged continued support from his office, stressing that the identity project required the collective backing of government.

“This Commission has my backing, and the backing of the office I represent. Wherever closer coordination is needed, and wherever obstacles must be cleared from this Commission’s path, my office stands ready. This project is too important to rest on one agency. It requires the full weight of government,” the SGF said.

Akume commended President Tinubu for assenting to the NIMC Act, 2026, describing the legislation as the modern legal footing required to sustain the reforms and deepen Nigeria’s digital identity architecture.

He expressed confidence that the reforms would continue to deliver measurable results, maintaining that every improvement in Nigeria’s identity infrastructure would strengthen the country’s position and enhance Africa’s participation in the global digital economy.